This final chapter close the three-chapter vision / interpretation. Daniel is again told that his vision is for the last times, and is to be ‘sealed away until the time of the end’.
” ‘At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.’ ” (v1-2)
At the end of the period known as the tribulation, those “whose name shall be found written in the book” will join God in Heaven, and those whose names are not found there will ‘awake to everlasting contempt’. Of course we, like Daniel, don’t have a full grasp of the timing or logistics of such events (God intentionally leaves some mystery).
While we await Jesus’ return and our entrance into the New Heaven / New Earth / New Jerusalem, our path has been made clear: “Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.” (v10) We are to be purified and wise (accomplished through the transformative power of God’s Holy Spirit in conjunction with the cleansing blood of Jesus), and share Jesus’ gospel message with any who will listen.
Father God, our Sovereign King who is holy and righteous in every way, You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Thank you for the redeeming blood of Jesus that saves us from the penalty of sin, and everlasting contempt. Thank you for writing our names in the book of life, and welcoming us into the New Jerusalem. Please continue Your purifying work within us, and through us, so we and our neighbors may receive / spread the gospel message of Jesus. May we be Your humble and kingdom-building servants, for as long as we shall live, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training